2016-07-12 - Item 12 - Att 1 - Agriculture and Agricultural Land in Noosa Shire

1. Introduction & Context
1.1    Previous Planning Study
In the past Noosa Council endorsed a planning study prepared by the Town Planning Department
in 1995, called “Agriculture & Agricultural Land in Noosa Shire”. This report examined agriculture in
the Shire and provided an assessment of the Shire’s land resources based on a number of data
sources and with the assistance of the Department of Primary Industries.

The 1995 report found that agriculture contributed to the Shire in economic, cultural heritage, visual
amenity, lifestyle and character terms. It suggested that Noosa Shire could have an agriculturally
productive future, based on more specialised activities conducted on a smaller scale, instead of in
the traditional farming areas. Specifically the report identified two significant agricultural growth
activities being sugar cane and farm forestry.

The report led to the protection of good quality agricultural land in the 1997 Strategic Plan.

Many factors over the last two decades have changed the agricultural landscape and momentum
in Noosa Shire in a way not predicted in the 1995 study. These include the closure of two timber
mills at Cooroy, the closure of Moreton (sugar) Mill at Nambour, deregulation of the dairy industry
and the high demand (and consequentially high cost) of rural land for lifestyle purposes.

With the preparation of a new planning scheme commencing it is timely to review the earlier report
and particularly concentrates on changes in the agricultural sector since the 1990s. This report will
not repeat aspects of soil analysis or pedology, as it is unlikely to reveal different results than the
earlier studies.


1.2    Planning Scheme Review
The 2006 Noosa Planning Scheme had a horizon year of 2015. While it has been amended a few
times already it is due for comprehensive review and replacement. The 2006 scheme was
prepared under the Integrated Planning Act and the Sustainable Planning Act has now been in
place since 2009. New planning legislation is now anticipated before the end of 2016.

In 2016 Council will commence work on a new Planning Scheme for Noosa Shire. Through this
process Council will need to give consideration to how it identifies and treats agricultural lands and
facilitates agriculture. The planning scheme could encourage certain forms of agriculture while
specifying forms that are not considered appropriate. Rural land owners, residents and proponents
will expect clarity and transparency in the regulatory / policy framework to guide investment and
lifestyle decisions.




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